The Association Of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents Elections

Although, there may not be accurate records as to when it was actually founded, there is no doubt about the fact that the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) is the oldest umbrella body for all licensed customs agents in Nigeria.

Although, there may not be accurate records as to when it was actually founded, there is no doubt about the fact that the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) is the oldest umbrella body for all licensed customs agents in Nigeria.
Dr Rafiu Oladipo the president general of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ club) is credited as  being the first president of ANLCA, older generation members of the association also say that there was a an interregnum for some years before Alhaji Sani Kamba stepped-in to become the national president of a new- look association.  
Alhaji Kamba’s tenure was followed by that of Mr Peter Okocha, Aare Sanni Shittu, Alhaji Inua Mohammed and Chief Ernest Elochukwu as national presidents.
 Thus, Prince Shittu is officially, the seventh national president of the association, and since coming on board, even chronic critics will agree that the face of ANLCA has changed positively.
Prior to becoming the national president, Prince Shittu was the chairman of the association’s electoral commission (ASECO) that conducted the election which saw the emergence of most the now- immediate past chapter executives of the association.
We recall that, before the chapter executives emerged in 2010, ANLCA was on a cliff edge; a highly factionalised association and highly polarized along tribal lines, while also engaging rival associations in war of supremacy and subjected to dwindling recognition from relevant government agencies; especially the Nigeria Customs Service.  But, all that changed totally in 2010.
The recent chapter elections in the association’s western zone were well-planned, going by pre-election details and the high level of integrity  and dedication that were exhibited by the chairman of the association’s electoral committee; Alhaji Abdulazeez Mukaila Babatunde.
Even though there are pockets of disagreements, the western zone elections would have passed for a credible one, perhaps maybe, if it were conducted without the last minute disqualifications.
From all available evidences, the conditions for disqualifications were extraneous factors that were later introduced by the association to ensure that incumbent executives were accountable for the actions and also that they were made to meet all financial obligations to the association.
These were not part of the elections guidelines, but they were probably included so as to ensure accountability and instill discipline in the heart of contestants. But that move has been largely accountable for the dark spots on the elections landscape.
Since the elections, there have been protests and allegations from those who were aggrieved and who believe that the election outcome had been predetermined.
But, we commend the decision of the national leadership of ANLCA to establish   a panel that will look at the grievances and recommend how to address these fears; it is also commendable that the association’s national president has promised that anyone who is discovered to have fraudulently emerged would be removed.
In the history of elections in ANLCA, we dare say that this is the first time that genuine efforts are being made to address complaints that arose from an election; we commend the association for this.
We urge the Board of Trustees which is statutorily the custodian of all election matters to live above board and uphold the aspirations of the greatest number of its members. Since ASECO succeeded in the eastern zone, nothing short of that is acceptable in the west.  
So far, we have not seen any evidence that the process was compromised.
Also, we advise that elections should hold very soon in Tin Can, KLT, Lillypond, Idiroko and Ikorodu where some technical challenges were noticeable. To delay it is to continue to encourage anarchy in the association.
The on-going elections and the efforts being put in to make the home-lap successful would have achieved their desired aims if the emerging chapter executives are made to be closer to their members and also made to respect the national secretariat.